Who is this choice relevant to?

Hikers who strictly avoid gluten

For you, the gluten-free claim on the exact flavour and pack matters, as do the ingredients and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens. A corn base alone doesn’t tell you enough.

Hikers looking for vegan or lactose-free chips

You want a savoury snack that suits your specific dietary needs. Check for other allergens, such as soya, separately: one claim doesn’t cover the other.

Hikers going further afield

You’re looking for something savoury to eat on the go, but don’t want to rely on chips alone. Wandel.nl also recommends drinking fluids and choosing easily digestible foods that aren’t too high in fat during exercise.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with what you need to avoid. Then compare the flavour, ingredients and what else you’ll take on your hike.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten and allergens Check the exact pack for a gluten-free claim, ingredients and any allergen warnings. If I need to avoid gluten, wheat or soya, I want to know what this particular bag says. For around 33% of consumers, checking allergens comes first.
Vegan and lactose-free Check the relevant claim for each flavour and read the allergen information too. I’m looking for chips without animal-derived ingredients or with a lactose-free claim, but I don’t want to overlook another dietary requirement. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this suitability.
A longer hike Think about what you’ll take to drink and what other familiar snacks you’ll pack alongside a portion of chips. I want something savoury to eat on the go, but I don’t want it to be the only snack I’ve planned. Around 27% of consumers put planning for a hike first.
Ingredients and salt Compare the ingredients and salt per 100 g for the flavours and pack sizes you’re considering. If several plain chips suit my dietary needs, I want to compare their ingredients and salt content. For around 20% of consumers, this is the main reason for choosing.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming corn means gluten-free

    Doritos Naturel, as described by Jumbo, has corn as a key ingredient, but also lists possible gluten-containing cereals, gluten and wheat.

    If you’re avoiding gluten or wheat, check the claims and allergen information for the exact variety rather than relying on its main ingredient.

  • Assuming vegan or lactose-free means allergen-free

    Albert Heijn lists AH Tortilla chips naturel as vegan and lactose-free, but also warns of possible traces of soya.

    Check the packaging for each allergen you avoid, including information about possible traces.

  • Taking only chips on a long hike

    A savoury snack doesn’t replace a plan for food and drink. Wandel.nl also recommends easily digestible foods that aren’t too high in fat during exercise.

    Take water with you and choose another familiar snack to go with your chips, one that suits your hike.

  • Relying on an outdated product description

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. Different flavours from the same brand may also have different ingredients.

    Before buying and setting off, check the physical packaging for the flavour and pack size you’re actually taking with you.

Brands compared

Albert Heijn

AH Tortilla chips naturel is worth considering if you’re looking for a gluten-free, vegan and lactose-free claim all in one.

  • Albert Heijn lists all three claims for this plain variety.
  • The product information also mentions possible traces of soya. Check the current packaging if you avoid soya.

Santa Maria

The 185 g Tortilla Chips Salted, as described by Jumbo, is a salted corn chip with a gluten-free claim.

  • Jumbo lists maize flour, sunflower oil and salt as ingredients for this variety.
  • According to Jumbo, this variety may contain traces of soya. The gluten-free claim doesn’t confirm that it’s suitable for people avoiding soya.

Doritos

Doritos Naturel can be compared with other plain chips if you don’t need to strictly avoid gluten, wheat or soya.

  • The variety described by Jumbo is made mainly with corn, rapeseed oil and salt.
  • Jumbo lists possible gluten-containing cereals, gluten, soya and wheat for this variety.

Jumbo

Jumbo has several own-brand varieties, including plain and seasoned tortilla chips.

  • The varieties offer a choice of flavours and pack sizes.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens for each individual variety; a category overview isn’t enough.

Mission

Mission Foods describes an international Grain Free Chips range made with cassava flour instead of corn flour.

  • Mission Foods describes this product range as gluten-free and vegan.
  • If buying in the Netherlands, check the exact packaging and allergen information. The international product description isn’t a label for a local variety.

Tortilla chips at Joybuy

These Santa Maria nacho chips are an option if you want to take a savoury snack with you on a hike. If you have dietary requirements, check the claims and allergen information on the pack you receive.

Santa Maria Original Nacho Chips, 185 g

Santa Maria Original Nacho Chips, 185 g

For anyone who wants to take tortilla chips along as a savoury snack on a hike. If the gluten-free claim or information about possible traces of soya matters to you, check the packaging. Don’t assume the product is suitable for vegans or people avoiding lactose without checking the relevant claim.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are corn tortilla chips automatically gluten-free?

No, the main ingredient alone doesn’t tell you enough. Jumbo lists Santa Maria Tortilla Chips Salted as gluten-free, while the Doritos Naturel described by Jumbo mentions possible gluten-containing cereals, gluten and wheat. Always check the packaging for the exact variety.

Does vegan mean allergen-free?

No, a vegan claim doesn’t mean that all allergens are excluded. Albert Heijn lists AH Tortilla chips naturel as vegan, but also mentions possible traces of soya. Check each allergen that’s relevant to you separately.

Are tortilla chips enough as the only snack for a long hike?

Don’t rely on tortilla chips alone on a longer hike. Wandel.nl recommends drinking enough during exercise and choosing easily digestible foods that aren’t too high in fat. If you like, take chips for a savoury change, alongside water and another familiar snack.

How do you pack tortilla chips in a hiking rucksack?

Take a sealed pack, or transfer chips from an opened bag to a sturdy, resealable container. This helps keep them dry and reduces the chance of them getting crushed in your rucksack.